All humans have faced the three big D’s of defeat at one time or another: discouragement, discontentment and disillusion. To ensure the proper understanding of these terms and that reader and author are on the same page, here are definitions listed in the most popular online dictionary:
These definitions of these three terms will be used through out this essay. When the three D’s are considered they conjure up visions of a very downhearted state that most folks would like to ignore or avoid. So considering the title of this essay, the conversation that is probably running through the reader’s mind at this juncture is something like this:
Reader: "What sort of idiot would call these terms delightful?"
Socrates13: "Perhaps, the sort of idiot that sees things beyond the surface or in a bigger picture."
Reader: "Now I suppose you are going to feed me some pop psychological platitudes."
Socrates13: "On the contrary, this is going to be kept ground level and close to where our lives are lived."
Reader: "There must be a catch here, you are asking me to ignore what I know to be true."
Socrates13:, "Not at all, in fact your experiences will be greatly needed to understand what is about to be presented."
Reader: "You’re not going to trick me are you?"
Socrates13: "I am not a magician or a huckster, all that is required is some time and a willingness to consider new truth."
Reader: "That doesn’t sound too difficult, but I’ll be watching you very carefully."
Socrates13: "Thank you, I couldn’t ask for little more than this. You also would derive additional benefit from this by thinking closely about what you discover in these concepts and then spend some time considering if such ideas are valid."
The definitions of the words discouragement, discontentment, and disillusionment are all actually states of mind and states of being that may surprisingly serve a very useful purpose. They actually may prove helpful in the end. So, how can being depressed, dejected, deprived of fond illusions and desiring something better be described as “delightful?” For most people, initially, these are the things of which suicide, nihilism, and psychological illness are made. This sounds far from delightful. So, how can such states of mind and soul help anyone to wrestle with their religious concerns?
First, they send a very strong message that something is not working. This should seem quite obvious. More often than not when something reaches this stage it tends to cause more people to sink in feelings of defeat or despair. These types of responses are helpful to no one. On a positive note, receiving the message that things are not working actually provides the chance to take a hard look at the status quo. Such feelings communicate that there is something amiss and it is time to find out why. “Why is the religion I embrace allowing this to happen and not providing answers?” Without these feelings to warn each of us there is the danger of grasping harder onto something that simply is not working or producing the results that were initially sought. To remain in this state is much like driving on a flat tire. The noise and bumping are telling the driver it is time to change or forward progress will soon end. So, it would then be time to examine the tires on which religious beliefs travel.
Second, the three D’s, listed above, also prompt us to find out, when things are not working, is the source of malfunction in the person or the process? At this point the investigator needs to find out one of two things. Is the process not being used properly, or is the process itself defective? At this point a thorough evaluation needs to take place of the process or religious ritual being used. In religion (so also philosophy, psychology, etc.) the one who is disappointed needs to thoroughly review how the process (i.e. religious practice), that is producing disillusionment, should actually work. This provides an opportunity to better understand the actual total workings of the religious system being used. Another step would be to review reference material to find what steps may have been overlooked and that need to be implemented to actually achieve the promised results. If, upon review, research and rethinking, it is discovered that the religion, as designed, was truly being practiced properly (examples: prayers properly made, syllogisms not containing errors, rituals conducted according to proper methods) - then it means the person is not at fault. Rather, the problem actually is in the religious ritual itself. In this case, the review found that the practioner was using the process correctly, but it was not producing what was expected. The seeker now knows that further investigations are needed to find a religious system that will provide what was sought originally.
Thirdly, the three D’s should encourage searching for other truth that will provide the needed answers. If it was found, in the second step, that the religious or philosophical process was being used properly, but the results were less than expected, then it is time to pursue this third step. The quest, on this step of the journey, is to now to find other truth that will provide solutions to what is causing the discontentment. This step is the next natural extension after finding the source of malfunction, person or process. A very crude, but earthy, example of this might be illustrated by the choice of a replacement for an inadequate Internet Service Provider. Once the owner has tried all the options of the ISP and the service is still disappointing, the next logical move is to go shopping elsewhere. This may involve research such as reviewing the literature of different ISP’s, or reading computer magazines, etc. So it is with any other process that may be found wanting. If a philosophy or religion is found to not provide what was promised, then it is time to thoroughly review the other available options. For this step to work, the seeker of truth must examine all the options in detail and not simply trust the opinion of some other disgruntled customer. People often become disillusioned with their religion or philosophy and make the mistake of hastily embracing the first thing found without bothering to evaluate it. Thoroughly evaluating and searching for other truth has the added effect of providing another measure of control over the situation of discontentment. The seeker decides where to look, decides which process is based on the most truth and then is the one to select the one to try or trust. The seeker, by doing this, is in complete control and is no longer a helpless victim chained to a belief system that does not work. Some may actually feel that being in control is quite delightful.
Searching elsewhere and finding a worthy alternative has the added benefit of now providing an optional plan "B." This means that after the quest and research steps are finished that the disillusion worshipper is now provided with an additional option. This removes the feelings of being trapped or having nowhere else to go and being stuck with a system of thought that is quite defective. Having an additional path of truth gives those who have found it, extra freedom. This also gives a measure of control over what was previous viewed as a point of defeat.
There is a fifth additional benefit coming from the effects of the handling the three D’s in a proper way. This provides the chance to gain new perspective and also the possibility of seeing some positive attributes of beliefs that were previously unknown and unconsidered. If discouragement leads to a true quest for answers, then during this quest all options should be exhausted. Both the benefits and drawbacks of belief systems should be determined. For most people the tendency is to focus exclusively on the bad points of religions that previously were not embraced. This kept, what was in reality, a possible source of answers out of consideration. It must be remembered that what may be viewed as negative points most often are wrongly labeled as such by misinformation and prejudice, and not from thorough investigation. By using the catalyst of discouragement to evaluate and consider heretofore unthinkable options opens a whole new realm of possibilities. While an opposing belief may not be totally embraced, certain elements of it may be found to be true and can now be implemented resulting in a marked improvement. By studying other religions, for example, those in search of additional truth now may be able to consider a valuable truth that was unavailable previously. If the Christian will take time to study and learn about the Pagan’s point of view they can discover aspects of nature not previously known. They will develop an additional appreciation for spiritual quests and ritual. If the Christian considers these concepts they will be a more knowledgable person. If the pagan is willing to review the Christian faith they will find a deep belief in the reality of spiritual things and an intelligence that exists in this realm.
Embracing disillusionment and his brothers as a beneficial catalyst for action can, sixthly, lead to a mindset of questful learning. With this mindset, discouragement does not mean failure, but rather a signal to pack the mental bags of the mind for another trip in search of learning. This will mean expanded knowledge, better understanding, seeing one’s self as an explorer rather than a defeated failure. Disappointment will not mean failure, rather a chance for new fact finding. This is something from which everyone may benefit.
The disillusioned one may be transformed into a philosopher who investigates instead of a victim who only descends with cries of defeat. Philosophers are wise people; defeatists are often only whiners. Philosophers are on the hunt for new knowledge; self perceived victims don’t even see the option of a hunt for learning. Where the philosopher sees possibilities, the disillusioned only sees a prison of failure. In the end the investigative philosopher welcomes the wake up call of discouragement and sets out to find answers. Disillusionment no longer is a cause for feelings of defeat; it is rather a call to discover other places where truth may actually exist. Disillusionment is, instead, a friend who warns that a search is needed.
The finest example of the process, outlined above, is demonstrated in Plato’s dialogue entitled MENO *. In this dialogue Socrates is attempting to show how being made aware that one lacks knowledge does greatly benefit those who are so disposed to pursue lifelong learning and are willing to embrace the message to move on. Here he is questioning Meno about the value of making someone aware that they lack knowledge:
Soc: Do you see, Meno, what advances he has made in his power of recollection? He did not know at first, and he does not know now, what is the side of a figure of eight feet: but then he thought that he knew, and answered confidently as if he knew, and had no difficulty; now he has a difficulty, and neither knows nor fancies that he knows. (emphasis by Socrates13)
Men: True.
Soc: Is he not better off in knowing his ignorance?
Men: I think that he is.
Soc: If we have made him doubt, and given him the "torpedo's shock," have we done him any harm?
Men: I think not.
Soc: We have certainly, as would seem, assisted him in some degree to the discovery of the truth; and now he will wish to remedy his ignorance, but then he would have been ready to tell all the world again and again that the double space should have a double side.
Men: True.
Soc: But do you suppose that he would ever have enquired into or learned what he fancied that he knew, though he was really ignorant of it, until he had fallen into perplexity under the idea that he did not know, and had desired to know? (emphasis by Socrates13)
Men: I think not, Socrates.
Soc: Then he was the better for the torpedo's touch?
Men: I think so.
Taken from the online version of this dialogue as translated by Benjamin Jowett.
It should now be evident that discontentment, discouragement and disillusionment should all be counted as blessings and teachers. They provide the message and motivation to seek other truth and not remain trusting in what is less than perfect. The great philosopher Plato came to discover it in his day and the modern reader also may benefit from this concept. Such learning and gleaning of new truth will only happen if one has the perspective of the explorer of knowledge when delightful discouragement knocks on the door. It makes little difference if discontentment speaks about religion or other belief systems.
One must either choose to embrace the blessing or express the blandness of defeat. The choice is yours.
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